The general public is invited to Penn State Worthington Scranton on Monday, March 13th for an Exhibition of Fijian Dance. There is no charge for the event which will take place in the K. Bruce Sherbine Lounge. The Penn State Worthington Scranton Fijian Dance Exhibition will start at 11:30 a.m. and conclude at 1:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the campus' Diversity Committee, Faith and Values and the Music Department.
The Fijian Dance Exhibition will include battle dances, a slap dance, and social dances. The experience includes Fijian drumming. There will also be discourse and insights regarding Fijian life with general information about the Island of Fiji and information concerning service as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Performers are all volunteers and include Elder Taito and Elder Pead.
Elder Taito from Suva, Fiji is the grandson of the Provincial chief of the Island of Arutuma, Chief Tinvao Taito. As a member of the well known and respected 12 member all male dance group Tevaka, from the Church College of Latter-Day Saints in Fiji; Elder Taito has performed for numerous events including the Fiji South Pacific Games. In addition, he is a member of the prestigious Latter-Day Saint School Choir which has placed first in the national Choral Competition in Fiji for three years in a row. Elder Taito's musical talents include drums, guitar, music composition, dancing and singing. Elder Taito's other interests include aquatic sports, climbing, football and rugby. Currently completing a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as part of the Pennsylvania Harrisburg Mission, his future plans include performing at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii while attending college to study Engineering.
Elder Pead of Orem, Utah will also be participating in the program. Elder Pead was a member of the elite A cappella Choir at Timpanogos High School. He won the State award in drama for Contemporary Scene, the Outstanding Performance Award at Regional competition and performed leading roles for several musicals and plays presented by the Productions Company, the Scera Shell Theatre Company and the Hale Center Theater Company. Currently completing a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as part of the Pennsylvania Harrisburg Mission, his future plans include college with an emphasis in Theatre arts.
Also assisting in the Fijian Dance Exhibition will be Laura Stuart, elementary music teacher for the Lakeland School District, and Linda Stuart of Glenburn. They will work with arrangements, costume and technical support.